Making Physical Activity a Habit

Making Physical Activity a Habit

Until physical activity becomes a habit for you, staying active may seem difficult. Here are some tips that may help you make it a habit.

When you first start an exercise program, try to exercise at the same time every day. You can vary the time and place later, but creating a habit requires repetition.

Schedule your physical activity. Block it out on your calendar or day planner. Do several weeks in advance if you can, so that you get used to thinking of that time as already scheduled.

Do your physical activity regularly for at least 3 months. Experts say that it takes about 3 months of repetition to form a habit. For some people, 3 months is not long enough to form the habit. Changing seasons and weather may interfere with establishing a habit. Keep it up until you think about physical activity as a normal part of your day.

Credits

By

Healthwise Staff

Primary Medical Reviewer

E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine

Specialist Medical Reviewer

Heather Chambliss, PhD - Exercise Science

Last Revised

November 7, 2012

eMedicineHealth Medical Reference from Healthwise

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